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Why few experiences in cricket can hold a candle to that of watching a game from the ramparts of the Galle Fort

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Show time: the stadium unfolds itself through an archway in the fort wall
Sambit Bal

I like walking to cricket grounds, even though my last walk to one, barely 250
metres to the Wankhede Stadium for an IPL match, was horrifying - for reasons I will not go into here. To most Australian grounds you walk through vast gardens and playing fields, watching children play all manner of sports as you go. And if you choose to walk through the greens to the WACA, you are likely to encounter plenty of black swans, the official bird of Western Australia.

You are advised to always watch your back in Johannesburg, but if you're
staying at the Protea Wanderers hotel, you have the luxury of walking through the
greens of the Wanderers Club, which is housed in a charming
colonial-style building. On the other hand, the approach to Newlands in Cape Town, where you watch cricket against the mighty backdrop of Table Mountain, is unsuitably
prosaic.

In Nottingham you can walk leisurely along the Trent river, cross the bridge,
and go past the pubs to Trent Bridge, the prettiest of cricket grounds. But
if you make the mistake of taking the first turn after the bridge, as I did
once, you will end up at the Nottingham Forest football ground, which is not
quite as charming.

A walk I have taken every year since 2001 is the one from the St John¹s
Wood tube station to Lord's. It has a ceremonial air to it. The moment you emerge from
the escalators, the station staff wave you through the turnstiles, which are
kept open for the Tests. On a good day in July, you step out of the station
to crisp, fresh air and turn left for the short walk to the ground, during
which you are bound to have some free merchandise handed over to you, and to be approached by touts peddling match tickets quite openly.

Lord's remains the most traditional of English grounds. Between the members
and regular watchers, tickets get consumed well in advance, sometimes as
early as the previous year, which makes it difficult for fans to
get a seat on impulse. But the crowd is still fairly multi-cultural, and increasingly
so. When India played there last year, I spotted plenty of women in
sarees.

Nothing prepared me for Galle, however. Earlier this month I arrived there the
night before the Test match, so I passed the stadium almost without noticing it. My hotel, a charming, restored Dutch villa, was inside the Galle Fort, a heritage site
listed by UNESCO. Inside the fort resides a world of its own. There are
hotels, guest-houses, little restaurants, banks, museums, a library, a
church and a mosque; small boutiques shops selling gems and jewellery, clothes,
artefacts, paintings, and even books; and of course, residential
houses. The buildings are small and quaint and some have beautifully carved
doors and windows. Like in all parts of Sri Lanka, the people are friendly and
rarely unsmiling.

The stadium is less than half a kilometre from the hotel, and on day one of the Test I walked in solitude down the Church Road, a narrow, winding, sloping street that leads to the world outside, declining offers from tuk-tuk drivers to take me where I was going. I hoped to see cricket fans emerge out of the other lanes. None did. In fact, until I reached the fort entrance, nothing intimated me that a Test match was about to be played across the street. What I saw next astounded me.

Through the archway in the fort wall, the whole cricket ground revealed itself.
The stadium has only two stands, on either side of the building that houses
the pavilion, dressing rooms and media boxes. That's across from the fort. The rest of the ground, almost three-fourths of it, is open. The only thing separating the ground from the road is a fence of thin metal wire.

From within the fort, I could tell that India had won the toss because I could see the Sri Lankans warming up in the field: Chaminda Vaas practising his run-up, Muttiah Muralitharan doing some gentle stretches.

The sight filled me with such a thrill that I stood watching for a few minutes. In all my
years as a cricket fan I couldn't remember anything coming close to it. Of course, driving through the English countryside, you are bound to pass cricket fields with matches on, and from Marine Drive in Mumbai, you can watch games being played on the grounds of one of the many Gymkhanas, but none of those, of course, can even begin to compare with the profile of an international match featuring some of the game¹s biggest stars.

Only once had I managed to catch a glimpse of an international game from outside a ground. That was from a local train in Mumbai; India and Australia were playing at the Wankhede. I got down at the next station and went to watch. I didn't go to work for the next three days. Here in Galle I could have watched the whole match standing on the road. Indeed, many did.

Considering the security situation in Sri Lanka - in Colombo you would be lucky to travel the shortest distance without being stopped at one of the many army posts - I expected to be subjected to a thorough screening at the stadium gate in Galle.

I wasn't even asked to open my bag. "Media?" one of the security men enquired. "This way, sir." I got my answer a little later, in the press box. The LTTE choose their targets carefully. "Till Murali is playing," said a Sri Lankan journalist, "you can almost be certain that they will not come near a cricket ground."

By itself, the Galle International Stadium is not the prettiest in the world. In many ways it is a symbol of Sri Lanka's spirited recovery after the tsunami in 2004 that devastated the southern coast and left over 35,000 dead. The stadium, which is barely 250 metres from the sea, was flattened. It is still a work in progress.

Sea, sky, cricket: the view from the ramparts
Sambit Bal

However, the surroundings are among the most scenic in the world. In the pavilion you sit diagonally across from the fort and you can watch the sea on either side, rougher on the right, with waves crashing into the rocks, and relatively tranquil on the left.

But the best seats are actually outside the ground. And they are free. I watched the morning session of the final day from atop the fort wall. It is an easy climb up the stairs, and for the sheer experience, few things come close. It was a cloudy morning and a gentle breeze was blowing. We managed to find a spot behind the sight screen, which meant I could follow the ball even better than from within the press box. In fact, in 2001, after being denied a place in the box because of a rights dispute, Jonathan Agnew of the BBC's Test Match Special perched himself here under an umbrella and went about his business.

We sat sipping fresh coconut water and munching peanuts, with friendly Sri Lankan fans on either side. A few gun-wielding soldiers stood behind, a reminder of the grim realities of a strife-ravaged nation, but if you caught their eye, they were always likely to respond with a smile.

The sun began to singe as the clouds scattered. Those who cared had brought umbrellas, but to most of the regulars it hardly mattered. Three quick Sri Lankan wickets just before lunch quietened the crowd somewhat, but most of them stayed till the end, beating their drums, waving their flags, cheering the runs the Sri Lankan batsmen managed, and accepting the inevitable defeat with grace. Sri Lankans love and enjoy their cricket, but
seem to know where to draw the line.

At lunch I retreated to the cooler, more sterile confines of the press box, but kept an eye on the fort wall for the rest of the day. I hope to return just as a fan. Watching a match from the Galle Fort must rank among the top ten experiences in cricket.

This was a lovely piece by Sambit Bal. I read every word by interest
and felt that I was at Galle. I have seen the Asgiraya Stadium,
Kandy, Col-SSC and Col-Sara, I relived my visit to Sri Lanka in September 1985. Alas, Galle was not a cricketing centre then. Kudos to Sambit
for having made me as if I was at Galle

POSTED BY
Cric_monk
on | August 12, 2008, 10:20 GMT

What a fantastic article by Sambit Bal..I would love to go and watch Sanga and co play at this lovely venue..wish BBCI does something to improve Indian stadiums to make it a better experience for us cricket lovers.

POSTED BY
Philip_Gnana
on | August 11, 2008, 20:17 GMT

I had the opportunity of visiting the Stadium in May 2007. when still under reconstruction. A great view from the ramparts - spectacular.
Thankfully the Galle Stadium's administrators are not money mad to deprive the poor man of a "freeview". How long for, time will tell.

Why bring politics and terrorism in to cricket? Will not elaborate further. Let them be.

I will encourage more to tour the island and not only Galle but the other sites too - Upcountry too. Coming from Kandy roots I would be biased.

Philip Gnana, Surrey UK/

POSTED BY
Jitterbug
on | August 11, 2008, 20:03 GMT

What a beautiful article! Sambit Bal has brought the town of Galle and the simple cricket stadium to life. He, like Jamie Alter, Peter English, and most others who write for Cricinfo, are able to see the uniqueness in the simplicites of life at home and quaint architecture of the houses and little hotels in Galle. His descriptions are heartfelt and they are special for someone like me who is on the other side of the world and far removed from home.

POSTED BY
ACY1
on | August 11, 2008, 18:41 GMT

A great article by Sambit Bal. My father was born in Galle, was brought up there, and always loved the city. 'The Red Rose City of the South' he called it. As a child, I was less enthusiastic. I found it hot, dry, and featureless. Father lived inside the Fort in the late 1950s, adjacent to the ramparts on the sea side, while he worked in the local medical administration. He even played cricket for Galle CC when the current Test grounds were merely the 'Galle Esplanade'. We spent some of our holidays there. If it is still a fairly unhurried place, it was somnolent then! But my childhood impressions were wrong. I left Sri Lanka for the West some 40 years ago. What charm Galle exerts now! As you drive in from Colombo, the cricket ground to the right, set off by the majestic Fort, crowned by the clock tower, is unforgettable. Within the walls, wonderful boutique hotels are set side by side ordinary abodes. Peer in, and you will see lovely Muslim courtyards. Outside, tho', Galle pulses.

POSTED BY
Charindra
on | August 11, 2008, 18:34 GMT

I'm with Ashanthaa... The only reason cricket matches are safe is because the LTTE don't want the wrath of the international community. But your article was superb Sambit... beautifully written!

POSTED BY
elliemiller
on | August 11, 2008, 17:46 GMT

In response to Ashanthaa- You're absolutely correct about SL cricket and the terrorists' connection..The LTTE does not give a damn about Murali, its all about image and therefore continued international support and funding..

Thank you Mr.Bal for the wonderful description and article in general..I'm of Sinhala-Tamil orgin and lived for some years in Galle as my dad is from there and my mom from Jaffna..Oh, what a beautiful town!..I miss SL!..Your's observations about the friendly faces, the relaxed atmosphere together with the surrounding beauty of nature makes me wish I had the $ to hop on a plane to Colombo tomorrow!!..Thanks!!

What a superb article by Sambit Bal. Now that i've read the article i want to go to galle and watch a match from the fort. I hope the BCCI builds more spectator friendly grounds.

POSTED BY
Devapriya
on | August 11, 2008, 11:37 GMT

Excellent article Sambit.
Brings back memories of 40+ years ago when I used to visit Galle Fort as a child to see our GP.
About bombs at cricket matches (there have been none), I hear the tiger chief is a cricket fan (especially Murali). Still I was advised not to go for the SSC test. But I did and watched 3 Sri Lankan score 100s and the first ever TV review!

POSTED BY
lagop
on | August 12, 2008, 16:12 GMT

This was a lovely piece by Sambit Bal. I read every word by interest
and felt that I was at Galle. I have seen the Asgiraya Stadium,
Kandy, Col-SSC and Col-Sara, I relived my visit to Sri Lanka in September 1985. Alas, Galle was not a cricketing centre then. Kudos to Sambit
for having made me as if I was at Galle

POSTED BY
Cric_monk
on | August 12, 2008, 10:20 GMT

What a fantastic article by Sambit Bal..I would love to go and watch Sanga and co play at this lovely venue..wish BBCI does something to improve Indian stadiums to make it a better experience for us cricket lovers.

POSTED BY
Philip_Gnana
on | August 11, 2008, 20:17 GMT

I had the opportunity of visiting the Stadium in May 2007. when still under reconstruction. A great view from the ramparts - spectacular.
Thankfully the Galle Stadium's administrators are not money mad to deprive the poor man of a "freeview". How long for, time will tell.

Why bring politics and terrorism in to cricket? Will not elaborate further. Let them be.

I will encourage more to tour the island and not only Galle but the other sites too - Upcountry too. Coming from Kandy roots I would be biased.

Philip Gnana, Surrey UK/

POSTED BY
Jitterbug
on | August 11, 2008, 20:03 GMT

What a beautiful article! Sambit Bal has brought the town of Galle and the simple cricket stadium to life. He, like Jamie Alter, Peter English, and most others who write for Cricinfo, are able to see the uniqueness in the simplicites of life at home and quaint architecture of the houses and little hotels in Galle. His descriptions are heartfelt and they are special for someone like me who is on the other side of the world and far removed from home.

POSTED BY
ACY1
on | August 11, 2008, 18:41 GMT

A great article by Sambit Bal. My father was born in Galle, was brought up there, and always loved the city. 'The Red Rose City of the South' he called it. As a child, I was less enthusiastic. I found it hot, dry, and featureless. Father lived inside the Fort in the late 1950s, adjacent to the ramparts on the sea side, while he worked in the local medical administration. He even played cricket for Galle CC when the current Test grounds were merely the 'Galle Esplanade'. We spent some of our holidays there. If it is still a fairly unhurried place, it was somnolent then! But my childhood impressions were wrong. I left Sri Lanka for the West some 40 years ago. What charm Galle exerts now! As you drive in from Colombo, the cricket ground to the right, set off by the majestic Fort, crowned by the clock tower, is unforgettable. Within the walls, wonderful boutique hotels are set side by side ordinary abodes. Peer in, and you will see lovely Muslim courtyards. Outside, tho', Galle pulses.

POSTED BY
Charindra
on | August 11, 2008, 18:34 GMT

I'm with Ashanthaa... The only reason cricket matches are safe is because the LTTE don't want the wrath of the international community. But your article was superb Sambit... beautifully written!

POSTED BY
elliemiller
on | August 11, 2008, 17:46 GMT

In response to Ashanthaa- You're absolutely correct about SL cricket and the terrorists' connection..The LTTE does not give a damn about Murali, its all about image and therefore continued international support and funding..

Thank you Mr.Bal for the wonderful description and article in general..I'm of Sinhala-Tamil orgin and lived for some years in Galle as my dad is from there and my mom from Jaffna..Oh, what a beautiful town!..I miss SL!..Your's observations about the friendly faces, the relaxed atmosphere together with the surrounding beauty of nature makes me wish I had the $ to hop on a plane to Colombo tomorrow!!..Thanks!!

What a superb article by Sambit Bal. Now that i've read the article i want to go to galle and watch a match from the fort. I hope the BCCI builds more spectator friendly grounds.

POSTED BY
Devapriya
on | August 11, 2008, 11:37 GMT

Excellent article Sambit.
Brings back memories of 40+ years ago when I used to visit Galle Fort as a child to see our GP.
About bombs at cricket matches (there have been none), I hear the tiger chief is a cricket fan (especially Murali). Still I was advised not to go for the SSC test. But I did and watched 3 Sri Lankan score 100s and the first ever TV review!

POSTED BY
LANKALOVER
on | August 11, 2008, 9:35 GMT

Sambit ji.....,

It would be THE best experience in Cricket to watch Sanath TERROR Jayasuriya in full flow at Galle.

Lanka Lover (VSK Iyer - Dammam, Saudi Arabia)

POSTED BY
L1P1H1
on | August 11, 2008, 8:31 GMT

I visited SL for the last two England tours and your article brought back happy memories. Despite having tickets for the stands and a press pass I still choose to watch some of the game from up there each day. But what makes it so special in any part of the ground or up on the ancient walls is the warmth of the Sri Lankan people towards the tourists, and we are already planning to go again next time England visit.

POSTED BY
Prats6
on | August 11, 2008, 7:58 GMT

A very well written article, Galle for me is surely one of the most scenic grounds in the world, specially for someone living in kolkata and watching the match at a closed stadium and amidst large concrete structures. It is so very important that administrators around the cricketing world make watching cricket a pleasurable experience.. In India it is horrendous.
Galle with its Fort and the Sea is like a breath of fresh air.. I would love to watch Test Cricket there.

POSTED BY
BrianCharlesVivek
on | August 11, 2008, 6:46 GMT

If Shakespeare is for Literature, it should be Sambit Bal for cricket writing. Never i ve read such wonderful articles by any writer. Calling his piece of writings "Tendulkarsque" would be appropriate.

POSTED BY
ashanthaa
on | August 11, 2008, 4:59 GMT

I thank you Sambit for shining a light on this magnificent cricket ground. This stands as a symbol of courage and resilience of all Sri Lanka.
One thing your fellow journalist got wrong is, the reason the terrorist won't come close to a cricket ground is not Murali. They have no regard for human life, even Tamil community they declare to represent. It is not the well being of Murali but the International empathy that they care for.

No featured comments at the moment.

POSTED BY
ashanthaa
on | August 11, 2008, 4:59 GMT

I thank you Sambit for shining a light on this magnificent cricket ground. This stands as a symbol of courage and resilience of all Sri Lanka.
One thing your fellow journalist got wrong is, the reason the terrorist won't come close to a cricket ground is not Murali. They have no regard for human life, even Tamil community they declare to represent. It is not the well being of Murali but the International empathy that they care for.

POSTED BY
BrianCharlesVivek
on | August 11, 2008, 6:46 GMT

If Shakespeare is for Literature, it should be Sambit Bal for cricket writing. Never i ve read such wonderful articles by any writer. Calling his piece of writings "Tendulkarsque" would be appropriate.

POSTED BY
Prats6
on | August 11, 2008, 7:58 GMT

A very well written article, Galle for me is surely one of the most scenic grounds in the world, specially for someone living in kolkata and watching the match at a closed stadium and amidst large concrete structures. It is so very important that administrators around the cricketing world make watching cricket a pleasurable experience.. In India it is horrendous.
Galle with its Fort and the Sea is like a breath of fresh air.. I would love to watch Test Cricket there.

POSTED BY
L1P1H1
on | August 11, 2008, 8:31 GMT

I visited SL for the last two England tours and your article brought back happy memories. Despite having tickets for the stands and a press pass I still choose to watch some of the game from up there each day. But what makes it so special in any part of the ground or up on the ancient walls is the warmth of the Sri Lankan people towards the tourists, and we are already planning to go again next time England visit.

POSTED BY
LANKALOVER
on | August 11, 2008, 9:35 GMT

Sambit ji.....,

It would be THE best experience in Cricket to watch Sanath TERROR Jayasuriya in full flow at Galle.

Lanka Lover (VSK Iyer - Dammam, Saudi Arabia)

POSTED BY
Devapriya
on | August 11, 2008, 11:37 GMT

Excellent article Sambit.
Brings back memories of 40+ years ago when I used to visit Galle Fort as a child to see our GP.
About bombs at cricket matches (there have been none), I hear the tiger chief is a cricket fan (especially Murali). Still I was advised not to go for the SSC test. But I did and watched 3 Sri Lankan score 100s and the first ever TV review!

POSTED BY
ajayhr7
on | August 11, 2008, 13:56 GMT

What a superb article by Sambit Bal. Now that i've read the article i want to go to galle and watch a match from the fort. I hope the BCCI builds more spectator friendly grounds.

In response to Ashanthaa- You're absolutely correct about SL cricket and the terrorists' connection..The LTTE does not give a damn about Murali, its all about image and therefore continued international support and funding..

Thank you Mr.Bal for the wonderful description and article in general..I'm of Sinhala-Tamil orgin and lived for some years in Galle as my dad is from there and my mom from Jaffna..Oh, what a beautiful town!..I miss SL!..Your's observations about the friendly faces, the relaxed atmosphere together with the surrounding beauty of nature makes me wish I had the $ to hop on a plane to Colombo tomorrow!!..Thanks!!

POSTED BY
Charindra
on | August 11, 2008, 18:34 GMT

I'm with Ashanthaa... The only reason cricket matches are safe is because the LTTE don't want the wrath of the international community. But your article was superb Sambit... beautifully written!